The Buckeye Flame

09/02/2025

(UPDATED with quotes from LGBTQ+ Victory Fund.)

EXCLUSIVE: “I need to be brave and show up as I am.” Ohio Rep. Christine Cockley publicly comes out as q***r

The Columbus-area rep now stands as the only out LGBTQ+ Ohio State Representative.

09/02/2025

A homophobic billboard in Ohio pi**ed her off. So this straight ally leapt into action to install a message of love.

"People should be able to just live their lives without randomly encountering hate."

09/02/2025

THIS.

✨ The Reunion: Toledo’s First Black Pride ✨🌈

📍 Levis Square, Downtown Toledo
🗓️ 12PM – 7PM
🎉 Hosted by The Collective

Join us for a day filled with live music, DJs, vendors, food trucks, and great vibes as we make history together! 🖤🏳️‍🌈

This is Toledo’s first Black Pride celebration — honoring the contributions Black people have made to the q***r community. While it’s rooted in celebrating Black LGBTQ+ culture, this event is for EVERYONE. All are welcome to come out, show love, and celebrate unity, joy, and community.

✨ Good food.
✨ Great music.
✨ Beautiful people.
✨ Unforgettable energy.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of history — come celebrate with us at The Reunion!

Tickets available now on Eventbrite 👇🏾

🎟️: https://TQBCFamilyReunion.eventbrite.com

09/01/2025

Missed last week's episode of This News is So Gay? Check it out today!

Featuring: Candice Norwood (The 19th), Darian Aaron (GLAAD), Jason Villemez (Philadelphia Gay News)

08/31/2025

How changes to Medicaid will impact Ohioans living with HIV/AIDS

Medicaid changes put 450,000 Ohioans at risk of losing access to health care

08/30/2025

Higher ed association will no longer host conferences in Ohio due to state’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

International Studies Association leadership sent a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine explaining that the state’s laws make Ohio too dangerous for their members.

International Studies Association leadership sent a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine explaining that the state’s laws make Ohio too dangerous for their members.

08/29/2025

WHOA! Check out this AMAZING and UNEXPECTED article on This News is So Gay from GLAAD. They really captured everything we're trying to do with this show!

If you were to ask Ken Schneck about the one thing he is certain of, he'll most likely answer that question with the confidence he exudes once he's behind a microphone. Q***r and trans news, reported by q***r and trans people, is essential and deserves to be heard. Since July, the award-winning jour...

08/29/2025

All this week, we've been introducing the five new members of the Board of The Buckeye Flame. Last up is: TAREN LUTCHEY!

Taren is a longtime advocate and community organizer with over two decades of experience supporting LGBTQ+ communities. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Toledo Black Q***r Collective (The Collective) and is a dedicated member of the Toledo Pride Committee, bringing deep passion for equity, visibility, and creating inclusive spaces.

WELCOME, TAREN!

08/29/2025

EXCLUSIVE: “I need to be brave and show up as I am.” Ohio Rep. Christine Cockley publicly comes out as q***r.

The Columbus-area rep now stands as the only out LGBTQ+ Ohio State Representative.

The Columbus-area rep now stands as the only out LGBTQ+ Ohio State Representative.

08/28/2025

Kaleidoscope Youth Center announces leadership transition.

Executive Director Erin Upchurch to step down after eight years of transformational leadership.

Executive Director Erin Upchurch to step down after eight years of transformational leadership.

08/28/2025

All this week, we're introducing the five new members of the Board of The Buckeye Flame. Next up is: COURTNEY JOHHNSON-BENSON!

Courtney Johnson-Benson (they/she) is a sexuality educator, certified sexuality counselor, and relational wellness advocate whose work centers intersectionality, equity, and liberation. A PhD Candidate in Human Sexuality at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), they serve as Student Trustee on the CIIS Board of Trustees while researching Black sexuality, pleasure, and the impacts of hypersexualization, pleasure, and adultification.

Courtney is the Founder and Principal of The Cognition Collective, LLC and Seasoned Sexuality, where they lead culturally responsive consulting, counseling, and education that bridges advocacy, healing, and justice. Their scholarship and advocacy interrogate the erasure of Black sexualities in media, healthcare, and education, while championing reproductive justice, health equity, and inclusive, trauma-informed care.

WELCOME, Courtney!

08/27/2025

‘It feels like a betrayal.’ Ohio college students experiencing effects of new higher education law.

Diversity and LGBTQ+ centers across Ohio’s public universities have closed because of the new higher education law.

Diversity and LGBTQ+ centers across Ohio’s public universities have closed because of the new higher education law.